Dog rescue doesn't stop for holidays, in fact holidays make it worse. People dump their dogs rather than board them, or leave them home alone. Some shelters euthanize as much as possible so they can work short hours with a skeleton staff over the holidiays. Emails and phone calls continue to come in and here's just a sample of what I received while out of town.
1. Email from a person whose dog was now quarantined after a holiday bite incident involving a visiting family member. They had only had the dog for 3 weeks and the dog had been wonderful up to then, but guess what, dogs don't know your visiting relatives, they are just strangers. Furthermore, dogs can't always read the excitement and hysteria created by joyous family reunions. Bad situation, but particularly bad for the dog.
2. Tearful phone call from a woman who introduces herself as "Mrs. ___" (That always annoys me.) She's got a malinois/shepherd she has to get rid of because the dog is overly protective of her yard and tore up another dog who wandered in. The dog lives outside under an electric fence and goes after any other dog who comes onto the property. She has also nipped a couple people. They bring her in only at night (apparently to a garage or something) and have even, magnanimously, brought her into the house on occasion with their two small dogs. The woman was told that the dog would make a good police dog. I asked where the dog was now, while we were talking, answer: "outside."
Question: What kind of fence do you have?
Answer: We live in the country, we don't need a fence.
Question: What happened to your last dog?
Answer: He was killed on the road.
Question: What are you planning to do differently with a new dog?
Answer: Huh?
Why is it that people keep doing the same thing and expect different results?
Unfortunately, there are more of these contacts and events than the happily-ever-after endings that we work and hope for. But that's just the way it is. The ugly reality is that we save only a small fraction of the animals in need. With all the non-problematic dogs out there needing homes, it just doesn't make sense to try to re-home those with a bite history or aggression problems, even if the incident or behavior wasn't really the dog's fault.
The pictures are totally unrelated to the post, but they came in while I was away. They are pics of a former foster, a small but very alpha female named Tippy, her big brother Mo, and a new foster dog. These folks have moved to New York and have gotten involved with a rescue up there.
Posts
8 comments:
A few years ago, when Elsa and Finn were my foster dogs, an application came in for Elsa. In a phone interview with the prospective adoptee, I learned that their previous dog had been hit by a car out in the road. The dog was out there because the fencing was inadequate or nonexistent, I don't really remember, because once I learned the fate of their previous dog, the interview was over.
I once spoke to a potential adopter of a puppy. He said his last dog had been killed by feral dogs in the area. Yeah, sure buddy, I'm going to entrust this innocent little puppy to your care. Game over.
Two of my favorite quotes are:
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result"
and
"If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!"
Anyway, glad to have you back Brent. Remember the placements you make can multiply in ways you may never foresee, as Tippy's case shows.
I hate that people adopt GSDs, rotties, and pits (etc) for security dogs. They are so sweet and great family dogs. What people don't seem to understand is that when you treat your GSD as part of the family, keep them inside, train them well, love them, they will still be protective. They will still scare off burglars. They just won't be dangerous.
oh, and what kind of people abandon their dog because they don't want to board them?? that's beyond frustrating.
The whole thing about dogs being kept outside really burns me up too. Especially if the dog is chained. I really would like a law in VA that makes it illegal to have dogs outside w/o a fence, and to have dogs chained. As for dogs as security, they're far more protective when inside the house.
I have a question that I don't know who to ask:
Can a 6 month old-ish dog (Golden Lab) be kept outside if the yard is fenced in and a the dog has latticed area under the porch for semi-shelter?
It's not my dog, but someone who lives down the street. The dog is not allowed indoors. He gets food and love, but it seems so cold outside.
The area is just beyond Leesburg. Today is December 15.
Thank you for a reply. I don't know if this is normally done.
Those conditions obviously are far from ideal. If there is good shelter under the porch, (a dog house, straw, etc.) the dog will be ok but not comfortable. If in doubt, call your local Animal Control Officers.
I am seriously considering kidnapping a dog to save him from the cold. He is chained in a fenced yard, has an uninsulated doghouse, is lame (rumor has it that it is incurable nerve damage from an infection). According to local animal control, the dog's owner is within the law. According to my heart, I can't sleep another night with that poor dog out in the cold. He recently endured a night of freezing temps and 18" of VA snow. Even a kill shelter would be more humane than this. I can't watch it happen anymore. What would you do?
I know people who have observed this kind of situation before. What I suggest, and several have done it successfully, is to approach the people and offer to take or even buy the dog from them since it doesn't appear that they have much, if any, attachment or regard for the dog. Also, you need a plan on what to do if they agree to give up the dog.
Post a Comment